U.S. patent application number 12/077219 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for combined roof and front mirror description.
Invention is credited to Orhan Kilic, Werner Lang, Albrecht Popp.
Application Number | 20080239529 12/077219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39400871 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080239529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kilic; Orhan ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
Combined roof and front mirror description
Abstract
The invention concerns an external mirror arrangement comprising
a front mirror of the Group of the Directive 2005/27/EG for the
visual transmission of a first field of view and for the visual
transmission of a second field of view contains a safety mirror. In
accord with the invention, the front mirror and the safety mirror
are integrated in one mirror head.
Inventors: |
Kilic; Orhan; (Ansbach,
DE) ; Popp; Albrecht; (Weihenzell, DE) ; Lang;
Werner; (Ergersheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCNAIR LAW FIRM, P.A.
P.O. BOX 10827
GREENVILLE
SC
29603-0827
US
|
Family ID: |
39400871 |
Appl. No.: |
12/077219 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/850 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/082 20130101;
B60R 1/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/850 |
International
Class: |
B60R 1/10 20060101
B60R001/10; B60R 1/06 20060101 B60R001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 19, 2007 |
DE |
102007013028.9-51 |
Claims
1. An external mirror arrangement comprising a front mirror for the
visual transmission of a first field of view and a safety mirror
for the visual transmission of a second field of view, therein
characterized, in that the front mirror and the safety mirror are
integrated within one mirror head.
2. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 1, wherein
the mirror head comprises a spherically convex mirror pane with a
first mirror surface area for the visual transmission of a first
field of view and a second mirror surface area for the visual
transmission of a second field of view.
3. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 2, wherein
the mirror pane is spherically convex with a turning radius (R) in
the range of 200 to 340 mm.
4. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 2 wherein
the mirror pane is adjustably secured within a mirror head
housing.
5. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 2, wherein
the mirror head possesses an advantageous spherically convex mirror
pane with a mirror surface for the visual transmission of the first
field of view and a second mirror pane having a mirror surface for
the visual transmission of the second field of view.
6. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 5, wherein
the two mirror panes are spherically convex and the radius of
curvature (R) is respectively in a range of 300 to 340 mm.
7. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 5, wherein
the two mirror panes are spherically convex with a radius of
curvature (R) for the first mirror being in the range of 200 to 340
mm, and for the second mirror the radius of curvature lies in the
range of 300 to 340 mm.
8. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 5, wherein
the two mirror panes are secured in a common mirror head housing
and are individually adjustable.
9. An external mirror arrangement in accord with claim 1, wherein
the mirror head possesses a V-shaped outline.
10. A motor vehicle having a cab with an upper corner, an external
mirror arrangement having a mirror head having a V-shaped outline
and including a front mirror and a mirror head holder affixed to
the cab and extending laterally frontward and downward at an
predetermined incline and at a predetermined offset from the cab
from the upper corner at a front side of the driver's cab on the
passenger side, positioning the mirror head, and the front mirror
in front of the windshield.
12. A motor vehicle in accord with claim 10 wherein an external
mirror arrangement is installed at a predetermined separating
distance from the cab positioning the V-shaped outline of the
mirror head to follow the contour of the corner area formed by the
front side and the passenger side of the cab.
Description
[0001] The invention directed to an arrangement for an external
mirror for motor vehicles, comprising one front mirror of Group VI
with a safety mirror of Group V, in accordance with the Directive
2003/97/EG of the European Parliament as well as the Notification
made active on Nov. 10, 2003.
[0002] The authority of the Directive 2003/97/EG covers the minimum
number and types of the specified mirrors (internal and external
mirrors) for those motor vehicle classes as defined in the advisory
of Feb. 6, 1970 and found in the Directive 70/156/EWG, as well as
the installation sites thereof as indicated by the motor vehicle
class. For motor vehicles of the classes N2>7.5-t and N.sub.3
there has been defined, in accordance with the above Directive
2003/97/EG, as outside, Group V mirrors, such mirrors as,
respectively, an inclined mirror of known proximal range, side area
safety mirror and a front mirror of Group VI. For motor vehicles of
other classes, such mirrors are also admissible. The safety and
front mirrors are, for instance, to be so installed, that the
driver can easily and clearly view an otherwise hidden roadway from
his location in normal seating, with the fields of view lying,
first, on that side remote from the driver and second immediately
forward from the motor vehicle. Furthermore, such mirrors are to be
so placed, that no point thereon or within their supported
positions lie less than two meters above road surface. This height
regulation being in force when the motor vehicle is loaded at its
technically allowed, maximum carrying capacity.
[0003] Up to this time, it has been customary to install the safety
mirror and the front mirror with independent suspensions, which
caused them to be separated from one another at individual
locations on the motor vehicle cab. DE 198 39 833 A1, for example
discloses a safety mirror, which is designated as an inclined
mirror with a mirror head, a housing and a mirror pane. This safety
mirror is to be installed at an elevation above the passenger side
door on its own supporting structure and attached to the motor
vehicle cab. The front mirror, similarly having a mirror head, a
housing and a mirror pane, is, as a rule, placed on an individual
support on the cab and above the windshield. This separated
installation of a safety and a front mirror has the possible
advantage, that these mirrors can be so placed in relation to one
another, that the driver has a satisfactory view of respective
fields of view, which include the passenger side of the vehicle,
that is to say, the fields of view are visible while he looks
forward from his seat. Compared with an arrangement, wherein the
front mirror and the safety mirror are attached to one support
structure for a main rearview mirror (large size) of the Group II,
thus conforming to the above stated Directive 2003/97/EG, the
divided arrangement reduces structural loading on a single support
structure.
[0004] Contrary to the above stated advantage, the divided
installation of the safety mirror and the front mirror requires
individual supporting structures of different types and sizes. As a
whole, the separated installation proves itself to be
disadvantageous in regard to weight and manufacturing costs of the
safety and front mirrors. Additionally, installation of two mirror
arrangements increases the mounting cost involved in placing the
safety mirror and the front mirrors on the motor vehicle.
Additionally, the driver is obliged to direct his vision onto two
different mirrors, which are spatially set apart.
[0005] Giving consideration to the above history of the subject to
this time, the purpose of the invention is to make available an
external, mirror arrangement for a safety mirror and a front
mirror, both located in the front of the vehicle, in accord with
the above stated Directive 2003/97/EG, wherein, weight and costs of
manufacture of mirror arrangement are reduced and the mounting
thereof simplified, and the driver is afforded satisfactory viewing
field for the blind side area and for that area encompassed by the
front mirror.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The above objectives are accomplished according to the
present invention by an external mirror arrangement in compliance
with the Directive 2003/97/EG.
[0007] The invented external, mirror arrangement possesses a common
mirror head, within which is located a front mirror for image
transmission of a first field of view, which lies in a visually
obstructed area in front of a motor vehicle and also, within which
mirror arrangement, an installed safety mirror which serves for the
visual transmission of a second field of view commanding the
passenger side of the motor vehicle. In order to install the common
mirror head of the invented external mirror arrangement in an
appropriate position on the cab of the motor vehicle, an thereto
adapted support structure has been developed. Considering the
manufacture of two independent mirror arrangements, encompassing
first a safety mirror and second a front mirror, which include for
each a mirror head, a housing and a mirror pane, as well as a
support structure and comparing this to one forward mounted mirror
arrangement with a single, supported mirror head, which has its own
integral housing carrying combined mirror panes, one can obviously
observe, that by means of the combinational invention of the mirror
arrangement for the safety and front mirrors, wherein both are
placed in a common housing, that weight and manufacturing costs
have been substantially reduced. Since, by means of the combination
of the safety and front mirrors, no more than one mirror head needs
to be mounted on the motor vehicle. Thereby the mounting operation
is considerably simplified. Advantageously, the invented mirror
arrangement offers an additional improvement, in that by looking at
only one mirror arrangement, the driver can see at once two fields
of view, that is to say, these views being transmitted by mirror
surfaces dedicated to safety as well as the front mirror purposes.
This mode of observing is made by means of a single mirror
arrangement mounted in front of the driver who no longer needs to
divide his attention between two mirrors, which are separated from
one another in different locations.
[0008] In accord with the invention, there is no official hindrance
to allowing the safety mirror to be placed in a single front mirror
assembly, wherein one double mirror surface pane, or even two
separated mirror panes, can commonly carry out their mutual
functions.
[0009] In a first variant, the mirror head encompasses a convex
mirror pane having thereon one first mirror surface area which
visually transmits a first field of view and one second mirror
surface area which visually transmits a second field of view. The
border denoting separation of the first and of the second fields of
view can be graphically delineated for the driver in by
identifiable lines or by a change in the color tint between the two
mirror surfaces. It is also possible that the division can be
identified by appropriate markings incised on the mirror pane.
[0010] The convex mirror pane is spherical in curvature. In order
to fulfill the demands of the Directive 2003/97/EG, the allowable
radius of curvature of that area which reflects the safety field of
view cannot be less than 300 mm, while alternately, the radius of
curvature of the front mirror cannot be less then 200 mm. In the
first variant, wherein the fields of view are designed for the
proximal safety area as well as for the front field, the
possibility exists, that both mirrors can be designed with the same
radius of curvature, whereby, the radius of curvature would then
lie in a range between 200 and 340 mm. In order to desirably hold
the construction size of the mirror head to the smallest possible
dimensions, the radius of curvature may be about 240 mm.
Additionally, to simplify manufacture, the radius of curvature may
lie in a range between 300 and 340 mm, preferably at approximately
315 mm.
[0011] In order to facilitate the positioning of the safety mirror
or the front mirror to accommodate a personal viewing angle, which
is convenient for the driver in his driving position, the mirror
pane in the mirror head housing is advantageously redirected by an
adjustable support. Such an adjustment of a mirror pane, relative
to the mirror head housing allows small angular corrections,
without the necessity of involving the entire external mirror
assembly or the mirror head therein in a change relative to the
support structure. The adjustment of a mirror pane relative to the
mirror head housing is carried out by a mechanical operation or by
an adjustment device activated by an electric motor located between
the mirror head housing and the mirror pane. WO 02/072386 A1
discloses such a device as a motorized pivotal apparatus.
Additionally, it is possible that the mirror head can be installed
with a holding means designed to be adjustable relative either to
the motor vehicle or to the support structure.
[0012] In a second variant, the mirror head possesses a mirror pane
which covers the first field of view and has also a mirror pane
separate there from which oversees the second field of view.
[0013] These mirror panes are, advantageously, of a spherical,
convex curvature. In order to fulfill the Directive 2003/97/EG, the
radius of curvature of the contained safety mirror cannot be less
than 300 mm, and the corresponding pane for the front mirror is
specified to be not less than 200 mm. In this described second
variant, wherein the field of view for the safety mirror as well as
the field of view for the front mirror are to be served by two
separate mirror panes, it is possible that both mirror panes may be
made with the same radius of curvature, which would be an aid in
the reducing of the costs of manufacture. Advantageously, it is
also possible, that the mirror pane for the front mirror can be
made with a smaller radius of curvature R, which, in this case,
would be about 240 mm, while the radius of curvature R for the
safety mirror pane would still be approximately 315 mm.
[0014] To accommodate the installation of the safety mirror and/or
the front mirror, to the personal angle of sight of a driver
sitting in his appointed seat, the mirror panes of the safety
mirror and the front mirror are respectively provided with
independent positioning adjustments. The independent adjustability
of the two mirror panes relative to the mirror head housing allow
small angular changes, without the necessity of involving the
entire external mirror arrangement of the mirror head in relation
to the support structure. The angular adjustment of the two mirror
panes relative to the mirror head housing is done, advantageously,
by means of positioning devices placed between the mirror head
housing and each of the mirror panes. This positioning device may
be mechanically operated or may be activated by an electric motor,
as is taught by WO 02/072386 A1, which describes a motorized
pivotal device. Additionally, the mirror head can be mounted in an
adjustable manner, this being done relative to the vehicle, or the
mirror head can be angularly moved in opposition to the holding
structure
[0015] The invented external, mirror arrangement preferably finds
its application in commercial vehicles of the Class N.sub.2>7.5
t and N.sub.3 of the Directive 2003/97/EG. In the case of the cited
motor vehicles the invented external, rearview mirror arrangement
is best affixed by a mirror head holding means, which projects
externally from the roof at that upper, front corner location on
the passenger side of the cab. This holding means would further
project laterally toward the front and be extended downward in an
inclined manner and offset at a predetermined separating distance
from the cab on which it is installed.
[0016] In addition, the invented external mirror is so
advantageously mounted on the cab, that the mirror head, when seen
from a point in front of the motor vehicle, is positioned by the
internal location of the front mirror, thus projecting itself at
least partially sideways across the front windshield and so lying
in front of the windshield. In the case of such an installation of
the external mirror arrangement, it is possible that a blind spot
for the driver, visually obstructed by the vehicle body and located
across the front end and along the passenger side of the vehicle,
can be reduced in its scope. In accord with the invention, the
mirror head can be placed in an advantageous positioning, whereby
the single mirror pane, if so required, then both mirror panes when
seen in plan view, arrange themselves in a somewhat V-shaped
outline. This formation enables the installation of an external
mirror arrangement in the above described corner location of the
cab, in such a way, that the V-shaped outline of the mirror head
follows the contour of the corner formed by the cab front and the
passenger side of the vehicle.
[0017] As an alternate to the above, the mirror head, in a plan
view looking onto the single mirror pane, if so required, then onto
both mirror panes can encompass a somewhat trapezoidal outline.
[0018] In a plan view of the mirror pane, or of the mirror panes,
the mirror head is advantageously apportioned into a symmetrical
left and right side.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter be described,
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a commercial motor
vehicle with an external mirror arrangement in accord with the
invention,
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a commercial motor vehicle
with an external mirror arrangement in accord with the
invention,
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a commercial motor vehicle
such as shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the transmitted fields of
view required of the safety and front mirrors in accord with
Directive 2003/97/EG, and also the fields of view as commanded by
the mirror arrangement of the invention,
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic profile view of an external mirror
arrangement in accord with a first embodiment,
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an external mirror
arrangement in accord with the first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the overall
dimensioning and the geometric shape of the invented external
mirror arrangement in accord with the first embodiment,
[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the external mirror
arrangement in accord with the first embodiment,
[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic profile view of an external mirror
arrangement in accord with the second embodiment, and
[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of an external mirror
arrangement in accord with the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention
will now be described in more detail.
[0030] FIGS. 1, 2 show a commercial vehicle 2 of the Class
N.sub.2>7.5 t and N.sub.3 of the Directive 2003/97/EG, within
which Class and Directive specifications the external mirror
arrangement of the invention application. As may be seen in FIGS.
1, 2, the mirror head 12 of the external mirror assembly 10 is
fastened by means of a support structure 14 onto the cab 4 of the
commercial motor vehicle 2. The support structure 14 is in form of
a shaft of an angularly shaped arm when it is fastened on the roof
5 at the front end 6 on the passenger side 7 of the cab 4 in an
upper corner area 8, from which it protrudes at a predetermined
offset from the cab 4. The support arm 14, when made in the form of
linked arms, is conventionally made of plastic or steel and is
secured to the cab 4 at its free end by: a threaded connection, an
adhesive attachment, or clamping means, or the like. This support
arm 14 can also be integrally incorporated into the cab 4 structure
upon manufacture. On the other end of the support arm 14, which is
distal from the cab connection, the mirror head 12 is rigidly
attached. The fastening of the mirror head 12 can be carried out by
screw engagement, adhesive means, clamping or integrally factory
made. Alternatively, the mirror head 12, in a known manner, can be
bound in a releasable way by means of an installation of itself
relative to the motor vehicle 2. To attain an adjustable securement
of a desired position, the mirror head 12 can be affixed by a (not
shown) pivotal linkage to the support structure arm 14. In order to
enhance illustrative clarity, this external mirror as defined by
the Directive 2003/97/EG is not shown.
[0031] As may be seen in FIGS. 2-5, the mirror head 12 is so
installed on the cab 4 of the commercial motor vehicle 2, that,
when seen from a point in front of vehicle in the area of the front
mirror (18a), it extends itself somewhat to the side of the
windshield 9. At the same time, the mirror head 12 lies visibly in
front of the windshield 9.
[0032] FIG. 3 presents the fields of view 19b, 19a, which are
required to be accorded to the driver by the Directive 2003/97/EG.
These fields of view are shown in comparison to the actual fields
of view 20 furnished by the safety mirror and the front mirror of
the invented external mirror arrangement 10. As FIG. 3 further
shows, the actual field of view 20 created by the invented mirror
arrangement 10 overlaps the required field of view 19b, 19a.
[0033] The mirror head 12 of the external mirror arrangement 10
combines a safety mirror 18b and a front mirror 18a, made in accord
with the Directive 2003/97/EG. This combination is housed in a
common mirror housing 16, which is installed by means of a holding
structure 14 is rigidly attached to the cab 4 of the motor vehicle
2.
[0034] FIGS. 4, 5 show a first embodiment of the mirror head 12 of
the external mirror arrangement which includes a mirror pane 18
retained by a mirror head housing 16. In this first embodiment, the
mirror pane 18 is rigidly affixed, that is, positionally
unchangeable, within the mirror head housing 16.
[0035] The mirror head housing 16, which is made of plastic, in a
known manner, is constructed in a shell shape.
[0036] The mirror pane 18 possesses, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the
first mirror surface area 18a, which captures a first field of
view, the curvature of which area carries out the function of the
front mirror. A second surface area 18b of the mirror pane 18
visually captures a second field of view and serves as the safety
mirror (also 18b) for the passenger side. In FIGS. 4, 6 the limits
of the first and the second mirror surface areas, 18a, 18b, are
depicted in dotted lines. FIG. 5 shows additionally, that the
mirror head 12 and the mirror pane 18 are symmetrically designed
relative to an imaginary center line (here shown as ML) and
consequently falls into a V-shape outline. However, the two mirror
surface areas 18a, 18b, that is, the front mirror and the safety
mirror, do not follow the symmetrical outline of the mirror head 12
or the conforming mirror pane 18. The first mirror surface area
18a, which visually transmits the first field of view, extends
itself in FIG. 5 from the left half of the mirror pane 18, over the
center line ML and proceeds into right half of the mirror pane 18.
The second mirror surface 18b, which overlooks the second field of
view, remains completely contained in the right half of the mirror
head 12, and to the right half of the mirror pane 18.
[0037] In FIG. 6 is presented the dimensioning and the geometric
information concerning the mirror pane 18 of the external mirror
arrangement 10, in accord with the first embodiment. The reference
numbers V and H in FIG. 6 concern vertical and horizontal axes. The
mirror pane 18 is bulged spherically outward and possesses a
spherical surface or radius of curvature R of 300 mm. The mirror
pane 18 lies on a convex surface of a sphere, which has been formed
by a planar cut through a sphere section with a curvature radius R
of 300 mm, while the sectional area possesses, when seen in plan
view, an overall diameter of 419 mm. Millimeters are used as units
in FIG. 6 in regard to the provided dimensioning of the mirror pane
18, within which the first and the second mirror surfaces 18a, 18b
fill the available area. The radii and other dimensioning for the
mirror pane 18 stated in FIG. 6 fulfill the requirements of the
specifications of Directive 2003/97/EG for the visual transmission
of a single safety mirror with its required proximal field of view
and also meet requirements governing a single front mirror, while
simultaneously actually commanding the front and side areas 19a,
19b, which exceeds the said specifications (see FIG. 3).
[0038] In a first variant of the first embodiment, which is
designated in FIG. 5 by a dotted line, the mirror head 12 possesses
in respect to symmetrical shaping, a somewhat trapezoidal outline
instead of the above indicated V-shape.
[0039] In a second variant of the first embodiment, this being
sketched in FIG. 7, the mirror pane 18 is made to be remotely
positionable by means of an appropriate adjustment apparatus (not
shown), which, for example, is of a type described in WO 02/072386
A1 as an electric motor activated, pivoting device. In FIG. 7 the
reference number 17 illustrates the intervening space between the
mirror pane 18 and the mirror head housing 16. As an alternative to
the electric motor activated pivotal device, it is possible that
the mirror pane 18 can also have a mechanically operated
positioning means, namely a mechanical frictionally arrested
device, which allows protected individual pivoting motions of the
mirror pane 18, these motions being relative to the mirror head
housing 16.
[0040] In a (not shown) third variant from the first embodiment, as
an added feature, the mirror head housing 16, in an appropriate
manner, can be fastened by a releasable clamping fixture, which
allows adjustable positioning of the mirror head housing 16 on the
support means 14 thereof.
[0041] The above mentioned second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8,
9 of the external mirror arrangement, differentiates itself from
the first embodiment, in that its variances are essentially
effected therein, in that the mirror head 112 possesses a first
mirror pane 118a with a mirror surface area commanding the first
field of view and a second mirror pane 118 with a mirror surface
which commands the second field of view. The surfaces of the first
and/or the second mirror, which visually transmit their respective
fields of view, are separate, individual mirror panes 118a, 118b.
Each of these, in like manner to the first embodiment, are designed
with a spherical radius of curvature R of 300 and are spherically
convex and secured in a common mirror head housing 116. The two
mirror panes 118a, 118b are so integrated in the mirror head
housing 116, that they lie in a neutral position upon one and the
same spherical/convex surface. In FIGS. 8, 9 the two mirror panes
118a, 118b relative to one another, are arranged analogously to the
second variant of the first embodiment and are pivotally adjustable
in respect to the mirror head housing 116. The positioning and the
adjustment capabilities of the two mirror panes 118a, 118b relative
to the mirror head housing 116 can, in this case, be carried out by
means of appropriate adjustment means, namely in the manner of WO
02/072386 with electrically motorized pivoting equipment. The
reference numbers 117a, 117b in FIGS. 8, 9 indicate the intervening
space between the two mirror panes 118a, 118b and the mirror head
housing 116. Alternate to this, it is possible that the two mirror
panes 118a, 118b can be pivotally positioned by means of an
appropriate mechanically operated device of, for example, (not
shown) a mechanical, friction arrested, pivoting apparatus, which
allows specific swinging motions relative to the mirror head
housing 116.
[0042] In addition, it is possible that the two mirror panes 118a,
118b, as in the first embodiment, can be placed in a common mirror
head housing, therein affixed as to be non-adjustable, that is, to
be rigidly set therewithin.
[0043] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *